Multi-purpose cleaning device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a cleaning device having a first and second surface wherein the first surface is absorbent and the second surface is water repellant.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cleaning device comprising an absorbent surface and a water repellant or hydrophobic surface. The absorbent surface comprises material compositions capable of absorbing solutions. The absorbent surface composition include particulate material that generally exhibits a high affinity for particles, color, grease, oil, as well as hydrophilic solutions and can be a soft material which allows for gentle cleaning of most surfaces without detrimentally abrading and scratching soiled surfaces. The absorbent surface may be used in either a wet or dry state. The second surface or hydrophobic surface is comprised of material that has a characteristic of repelling water. This surface can be used also for cleaning solid surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning articles are notoriously old to the art. Popular cleaning articles which are known include, for example sponges, wiping articles, clothes, rags, disposable paper towels, and the like. Generally, these articles may be used with or without the addition of a cleaning composition in order to locally treat a stained surface. Very often, such a cleaning composition includes one or more detersive surfactants, and optionally may contain are frequently used with cleaning articles. Such products are widely known and used. In use, a consumer sprays, pours, or otherwise applies a useful quantity of such a cleaning composition to a surface usually in the locus of a soiled or stained hard surface, and then using the cleaning article to wipe the surface and thereby remove soils or stains from the surface. Generally thereafter, the cleaning article can be reused, or may optionally be disposed of.

The prior art discloses compositions that can be employed for cleaning surfaces such as solid surfaces. Typically, these compositions comprise a material that can be placed in contact with a target surface. These materials can be described as cleansing cloths and wipes that may or may not be impregnated with cleaning agents. The cloth or wipe is placed in contact with a target surface in order to facilitate the removal of an undesirable liquid or solid. The particular cloth or wipe may be abrasive or not due to the particular composition comprising the individual cleaning material.

The prior art is replete with cleaning materials that are absorbent in their primary character and purpose. However, there is a paucity of disclosure directed towards a cleaning device that has bifurcated characteristics, one that is primary absorbent and the other that primarily repels solutions and material. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed towards a cleaning device that has a first surface and a second surface. This cleaning device may be used in conjunction with, for example, a solid or semi-solid surface.

In one embodiment, a cleaning device comprises a first and a second surface, wherein the first surface comprises a composition that has at least some absorbent qualities. In an aspect of this embodiment, the second surface comprises a composition that has at least some hydrophobic quality.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a first surface that possesses hydrophilic qualities and a second surface that possesses hydrophobic qualities. In an aspect of this embodiment, the first surface interfaces with the second surface. In a particular aspect, this interface comprises the first surface affixed to the second surface. In another particular aspect, the interface is facilitated by means of another surface, a third surface, which is positioned adjacent to the first position and adjacent to the second surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a multi-purpose cleaning device. In one embodiment the device comprises two surfaces. In one aspect the two surfaces have different properties. For example, one surface may have a hydrophilic quality while the second surface a more hydrophobic quality. This cleaning device in one aspect may be used to either absorb solutions or it may be used to disperse solutions and/or particulate material. Still further, this device may be used to dispense a cleaning solution onto a surface.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning device 1 comprises a first surface 3 and a second surface 5. In one aspect of the present embodiment, the first surface 3 comprises hydrophilic qualities. In a particular aspect this surface 3 is absorbent. Example of suitable materials for this first surface include, but are not limited to, a sponge, a foam, a fibrous substrate, absorbent fabric and the like, combinations thereof are also included within this embodiment. Material suitable for the first surface that is absorbent is a material capable of absorbing water or a water-based solution. The material is such that it can be described as having hydrophilic properties. This does not exclude the possibility that the solution being absorbed comprises some hydrophobic characteristics. For example, some oil-water dispersions are capable of absorption. In a particular aspect, the first surface comprises a foamed polyurethane material. In a further aspect, the material of the first surface comprises anti-microbial features such as the foamed material described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,029, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In one aspect the first surface comprises a fibrous substrate. Examples of commercially available and particularly useful fibrous substrates include: Dexter® 10494 which is described to be a 70% viscose/30% polyolefin blend; Dexter® 5608 which is described to be a 45% cellulose/55% polyester and polypropylene blend; Dexter® 12086 which is described to be a 65% cellulose/30% rayon/5% synthetic fiber blend; Dexter® 8553-55 which is described to be approximately 80% cellulose, 20% rayon blend; Dexter® 12131 described to be a 65% cellulose/30% polyester blend containing a further 5% of a binder material; Dexter® 10471 which is described to be a 75% cellulose/7% rayon/10% polyester and 8% polyolefin blend; Spuntech® A080 described to be a 70% cellulose/30% polyester blend; Fiberlla® 4300 described to be a 50% cellulose/50% polyester blend; Vicotex® D6M-45 described to be a viscose/polyester blend; as well as Albad® SP50 described to be a 70% cellulose/30% polyester blend, and combinations thereof.

The first surface of the present embodiment may facilitate liquid absorption and release of a solution, e.g., cleaning and/or antimicrobial. This first surface may be multilayered in that one layer may carry a detergent, an antimicrobial agent, and the like, while another layer may be used as an absorbent and/or liquid dispenser. In one aspect, the first surface could dispense a detergent and/or antimicrobial agent from one layer while concomitantly dispensing another liquid, e.g. water.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, a second surface has a hydrophobic quality. This surface may be used to disperse liquids and particulate material along a solid or semi-solid surface. Examples of appropriate materials include, but are not limited to, rubber, materials comprising hydrophobic polymers known to those skilled in the art and the like. By way of examples hydrophobic materials include, but are not limited to, acrylics, amides, imides, carbonates, dienes, esters, ethers, fluorocarbons, olefins, styrenes, vinyl compounds such as vinyl acetates, vinyl and vinly chlorides, vinyl esters, vinyl ethers and ketones, vinylpyridine and vinylpyrrolidone polymers, silanes and silicone materials, and the like as well as combinations thereof. These hydrophobic materials or others not listed but well known to those skilled in the art may coat a substrate material in order to form the second surface. By way of example, a vinyl compound may coat a wooden substrate thus conveying a hydrophobic profile.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, viscous sponges may serve as the second surface. In another aspect, a viscous sponge may serve as both the first and second surface. Viscous sponges are well known to those skilled in the art and are commercially available. Commercial vendors include, but not limited to, Alibaba, Moerman, Scotch-Brite, as well as a plethora of other commercial entities.

In one aspect of the present embodiment the two surfaces are adjacent and in apposition to each other forming an interface element 7. In a particular aspect this interface 7 is a material separate from either surface, for example, a partition formed from plastic (see FIG. 2). Other suitable material can form the partitioning interface 7 such as rubber, wood, metal and the like (as well as combinations thereof) such that the two surfaces are separated from each other.

In one aspect the first surface may be affixed to the second surface via an adhesive. In a further aspect, the affixation of the first surface to the second surface is accomplished via interweaving of, for example, a material in manner similar to a stich or other appropriate manner known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 11 for a first and second surface. In the particular housing depicted by FIG. 3 a handle 9 having a first and second substrate is depicted. This is but one embodiment of the present invention. Other housings including a mop-like device are included herein. Analogous devices well known to those skilled in the art are incorporated herein. In this particular embodiment, the second surface 5 is depicted having ridges. Other geometrical presentations are envisaged within this embodiment. Ridges, for example, may assist in the dispersion of liquids or solids from a particular solid or semi-solid.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms, it is to be understood that specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings which are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed; on the contrary the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. 

1. A cleaning device comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein said first surface comprises a hydrophilic quality and said second surface comprises a hydrophobic quality.
 2. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said first surface comprises a sponge, a foam, a fibrous substrate, absorbent fabric and the like, combinations thereof.
 3. The cleaning device of claim 2 wherein said fibrous material comprises Dexter® 10494 which is described to be a 70% viscose/30% polyolefin blend; Dexter® 5608 which is described to be a 45% cellulose/55% polyester and polypropylene blend; Dexter® 12086 which is described to be a 65% cellulose/30% rayon/5% synthetic fiber blend; Dexter® 8553-55 which is described to be approximately 80% cellulose, 20% rayon blend; Dexter® 12131 described to be a 65% cellulose/30% polyester blend containing a further 5% of a binder material; Dexter® 10471 which is described to be a 75% cellulose/7% rayon/10% polyester and 8% polyolefin blend; Spuntech® A080 described to be a 70% cellulose/30% polyester blend; Fiberlla® 4300 described to be a 50% cellulose/50% polyester blend; Vicotex® D6M-45 described to be a viscose/polyester blend; as well as Albad® SP50 described to be a 70% cellulose/30% polyester blend.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said second surface comprises, acrylics, amides, imides, carbonates, dienes, esters, ethers, fluorocarbons, olefins, styrenes, vinyl compounds such as vinyl acetates, vinyl and vinly chlorides, vinyl esters, vinyl ethers and ketones, vinylpyridine and vinylpyrrolidone polymers, silanes and silicone materials and combinations thereof.
 5. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said device further comprises an antimicrobial element.
 6. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a detergent.
 7. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising an interface element.
 8. The interface element of claim 7 wherein said element comprises rubber, wood, metal or a combination thereof.
 9. The cleaning device of claim 7 wherein said interface element comprises an adhesive whereby a first surface is affixed to a second surface.
 10. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said second surface has a geometrical configuration that assists in the dispersion of liquids or solids from a solid or semi-solid surface. 